The Office of the National Security Adviser has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from lawful custody.
The Office also confirmed that Anjarwalla has also fleed the country using a smuggled passport.
Zakari U. Mijinyawa, Head, Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, confirmed via statement on Monday, 25 March, 2024, that the fleeing suspect escaped from custody on Friday, 22 March, 2024.
The statement also stated that the Office of the NSA has taken immediate steps to apprehend the suspect, acting in collaboration with security agencies, MDAs and international community.
“Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport.
“The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention,” the statement said.
Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.
Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024.
“We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect,” the statement concluded.
